The Switch version of Mortal Kombat 1 released in an absolute state. Itās one of the widest gaps in quality weāve seen between Nintendoās device and its console contemporaries. But for better or worse, NetherRealm Studios and the port teams at Shiver Entertainment and Saber Interactive are still supporting it, and making efforts to edge it nearer to justifying its $70 price tag.
The Switch versionās latest patch went live on October 11, and promises some general āvisual improvementsā to the notably fugly port. But on top of general polish, the patch also brings Invasions, a feature previously missing on Switch, that has been live in Mortal Kombat 1ās other versions since launch on September 19. Invasionsā seasonal events marry the gameās fighting mechanics with a board game mode and RPG mechanics. Each season lasts about six weeks, meaning while the other platformsā versions of Mortal Kombat 1 are reaching the end of the first season on October 30, the Switch port is getting a late start.
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Missing an entire mode wasnāt great, but the Switch portās biggest issues were technical,both in its graphics and performance. YouTubers, like Madlittlepixel, have taken the updated Switch version for a test ride, and while itās still a poorer experience on the handheld, thereās less chugging, smoother fights, shorter load times, and fewer crashes.
The full list of updates reads as follows:
Season 1 of Invasions
Gameplay balance changes
Leaderboards fixes
Visual improvements and general bug fixes
Performance improvements
Stability fixes
Localization fixes
Ultimately, a Switch version is never going to reach the heights of the PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X/S, because this is vastly older and lower-spec tech, but at least there are some notable improvements here. It still feels egregious to charge the same amount of money for a demonstrably worse version of the same game, however. For more on Mortal Kombat 1ās better versions, check out Kotakuās review
